cung4 sin6 jyu4 lau4從善如流从善如流
Jyutpingcung4 sin6 jyu4 lau4
Yalechùhng sihn yùh làuh
Definition
To accept good advice readily and happily.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes a person who is humble and open-minded enough to change their stance when presented with a better idea. It carries a positive, slightly formal tone often used to praise leadership or character. While it is a four-character idiom, it fits naturally into spoken Cantonese sentences when commenting on someone's decision-making style.
Examples
He listens to others well and really accepts good advice readily.
As a boss, you need to accept good advice readily so that employees will respect you.
Related words
Common phrases
have an open-minded attitude to advice
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who simply agrees with everything they hear, as it specifically implies accepting advice that is beneficial or correct rather than just being indecisive or a pushover.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
